A Walk to Remember

We took full advantage of the absence of rain to spend time at the Common yesterday. I realised how much I've missed it even though our last visit was a mere few weeks ago.

All around us was the blossoming evidence of Spring.

I've walked the Common a thousand times since moving here. So many sections are familiar to me. But today I took my time to acquaint myself with it. All over again. I lingered to admire, to appreciate, to take in the vast expanse of greenary around me.

If only my mind could somehow retain, capture scenes the way I see them, I could play them back, again and again, like one of those scenic powerpoint presentations we so often receive through email. But our ability to remember, though amazing, is unreliable. And to commit everything simply to memory would be somewhat imprudent, ill-advised? Too careless an action. For memory is but a mental impression. And that, will fade over time.

I cannot leave such moments to chance. I do not want to strain to remember. But perhaps through these, I'll never forget.

One Day in Spring

DAFFODIL: Regard, rebirth, new beginnings, unrequited love, you're the only one, chivalry.
DAFFODIL, SEVERAL: Joy, happiness.

The 'meaning' of flowers is said to have evolved from the medieval and Renaissance period. Artists of that time attached rich visual symbolism to different blooms, and managed to aptly capture the 'essence' of emotions in which each flower evoked.

It's no wonder why flowers are given on special occasions. But let's not delve into that.

Isn't it amazing how flowers are able to affect moods? Just today, I took a rather lengthy walk with Danielle and we were (or, at least I was) instantly cheered by a sea of daffodils growing willy nilly on the grass patches at Clapham Common.

We stood there in silence - almost afraid that a single utterance from us would destroy that quiet moment of Beauty.

They were God-sent, those flowers. Just the boosters I needed today, and perhaps a little while longer. God certainly has sweet ways of telling you He's there and that everything will be alright...

I told Danielle that the Daffodil was my favourite flower today. I scarcely think she will remember it. Nevertheless, I hope when she looks at them some day, they will fill her with a distinct sense of déjà vu.

And she will remember the indescribable joy those daffodils brought Mummy, that beautiful day in Spring.

Even great poets have been touched by the daffodils' quiet charm. William Wordsworth describes them in a way I never could. Through his poem, he pays homage to the daffodil I feel it so rightfully deserves.

Daffodils - William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Goodbye 2006, Hello 2007...

Everyone gets reflective at the end of the year.

Rather than blog my New Year resolutions (for in truth, I have not any), I'd like to begin 2007 with happy 'expectations' :

• Births (McMrsH, my B, Elaine, Shulz, Fiona... seriously, who isn't pregnant these days?!)
• Weddings (Ian & Geri, Joanna & Emmanuel, and some others that remain hush-hush)
  
• Relocations (praying for Vietnam for C, Mel & Drew to Oz)
• Successful business ventures (Rob, Ian, Vick, Dot, San, Simon)
• Possible London visits (Mabes, Mel, JH, Don, my mum??? Anyone else?)
• SGP visits (we'll be back in June & Dec 07! Prata here I come!)
  

And for things I know not of, I hope I'll be able to keep to my biblical mantra:

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

HAPPY 2007, everyone!

xxoo

* my African violet bloomed today! I'm certain it's 'a sign' seeing how I 'massacred' the plant Meiling/Andy gave me! :P Surely 2007 will be bloomin' good year! Hoorah!

A Kitchen Revived!

This gorgeous pot of flowers (including white pot from Oxfam) is a gift from the newly-weds - Andrew and Meiling Lane. So far only 2 buds have bloomed. Even then, they sure do brighten my 'trips' to the kitchen! :)

Had the Lanes over for 'Thai-styled' dinner on Fri (6 Oct). I think Andy almost 'choked' at the spiciness of my tom yum goong! (in fact I think he did? His perspiration could fill a reservoir!) They enjoyed the yum woon sen tho'. So relieved that the food turned out ok! Was worried someone would start foaming at the mouth or go into spasms. Hmmm... but it seems every time I have people over, I cook Thai??? Well, at least that's been tried and tested!

Meiling brought a 'hay bi hiam' mince pork dish and introduced us to the most delicious chocolate mousse dessert from Waitrose. Yums!

In the meantime, there are a total of 8 buds on the plant so I've got 6 more blooms to go! Sweet!

* Managed to snag me some tiny snow-skin mooncakes from Reuben! Ori brought them over specifically for moi! Finished them all at one go last night! Am 'belly' happy now...Buuuurrrp.

The 'Misdemeanors' of a thrifty housewife? Perhaps not...

Told trusty old 'Thrift' to 'take a hike!' today. Virtually defenseless to put up a struggle (pauper that he is, heehee), he packed his crummy bag and left my psyche... not without rolling his eyes at me first, of course.

Okok, ignore my weak attempt at prose there - and no, didn't end up splurging all that much really. Just thought I did, seeing the unusual number of receipts stuffed in my wallet.

Treated myself to a plant and a 2nd-hand baking dish today. Been meaning to buy a plant for the longest time. Then, inspired by Meiling's gift of 2 bulbs of spring flowers to me the other day, I decided to get a second flowerpot and another plant to 'liven' the house. Check out my 'Shuang Xi' pot which I picked up from Salvation Army yesterday! It was quite a steal. And don't you think it's ala 'The Life Shop'? The purple African daisies are from Sainsbury's. Apparently, they are good 'indoor' plants so let's hope they survive under my care! *fingers crossed* There are heaps of 'spring flower' bulbs for sale now and I'm sooo tempted to get some daffodils as well. They are simply the prettiest yellow flowers. Andy (Meiling's hubby) says daffodils are the first flowers to bloom in Spring so whenever you see daffodils out in bloom, you'd know Spring is here... :)

Total 'damage' for today:

• 1 pot African Daisies
  
• 1 baking dish from Trinity Hospice Charity (for casseroles and pie-making)
• 2 x stamps for snail mail
• 10 x small pks Trick or Treatin' goodies (Meiling says this pagan festival (Halloween) is V BIG with kiddies here so better be prepared, sekali lao kui)

Danielle saw me fill the supermarket basket with Halloween treats and badgered me into buying these 'Jack O lantern glasses' for her. I must say, she looks quite cute in them! Heeheehee!

Other unrelated news:
Inspired by the burst of sunshine (hooray!) this morning, I brought Danielle out on an 'adventure trip' to nearby Clapham North. All this while, I've been frequenting Balham, Tooting Bec or staying within Clapham South/Clapham Common, so have scarcely been on a real walkabout round Clapham North.











We actually viewed an apartment in Clapham North when we first arrived to the UK. Seeing it again today strengthened my resolve that we made the right choice with our apartment. Take a look (pix above). This could've been the area around the Chan abode. Shudder!

Clapham North is v popular with yuppies because of the large number of trendy restaurants and watering holes that line the thoroughfare. However, it is located close to Brixton, a suburb that's not exactly on the 'right side' of town, if you catch my drift. Incidentally, Mabes used to work at Brixton and whilst it holds true to its reputation, she says it is quite an interesting suburb to visit. Hmmm, maybe I'll give it a go one day... with Dee in tow, of course.